Good morning everybody. I just joined the site this morning after reading Clotilde's "cardonade flamande" recipe in the latest edition of Régal magazine.

I have been spending a pleasant time looking around the site and I am looking forward to joining in many foodie discussions with you all.

I have lived in the South of France for 25 years now, and I used to run a country inn in the moutains behind Nice. I am blessed to live in a part of the world where I can lay my hands on wonderful produce, and please feel free to ask me about any aspects of provençal and niçoise cooking...

Bonjour Pistache, I am a huge fan of Provence, and go back every chance I get. Unfortunately, I have only had one chance in the last ten years but I made it count. We have a new restaurant here in Chicago, called Socca, and I'm hoping that it lives up to its goal--which is to present fine Nicoise dining here on the banks of Lake Michigan. Here's what the restaurant review says about their offerings:
Sooca's menu features appetizers like steamed mussels with garlic, white wine, tomato confit, lemon and herbs; individual-sized thin crust pizzas like the bianco (white), with asiago, fontina, Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses layered over garlic oil; plus bistro classics like the pan-roasted hanger steak with garlic-herb butter and pommes frites. The namesake pancake does get menu play -- seasonal choices might include braised lamb with Provencal vegetables or grilled shrimp with shaved fennel.
So, it could be good, right? At least until my next trip to Provence._________________The goal is to fit it all in.

That sounds like a nice restaurant Chigago Bear. Socca is one of my very favourite street foods... eaten hot on a paper plate whilst wandering around the tiny back streets of the old town of Nice. It is cooked in huge iron pans over embers and scraped off once it is browned and bubbly, sprinkled with lots of pepper, and served with a glass of rosé wine http://www.cote.azur.fr/recette_socca-nicoise-au-four_2_lang_en.htm

Perhaps when your cookbook is finished! You have such a wonderful written style and write so well, it would be a great story. I am already waiting for your cookbook...!

But first I am trying to get a book my mother read to us as children. It was called, Theodore, or the mouse who wanted a frying pan, by William Papas. I always thought it was called Theodore's Hotdog!

But it's ok, your book won't be out for a while yet. By then I hope I will be an assistant curator at last, have dealt with my overdraft and will be buying your book and freely recommending it to anyone who will listen!!_________________Confusion comes fitted as standard.

Welcome Pistache! and I love your atavar! Add me to the list of fans of Provence--well the South of France entirely---have had some most memorable times there--you are lucky indeed!_________________Vivant Linguae Mortuae!!

I'm starting to think about places to visit on my OE and south of france is a definite! Actually, all of france is, but so many people have told me about the south that I think we will spend a fair amount of time there

I would like to plan a trip to Paris and to the south of France. I would like to take a short-term pastry and culinary workshop that is not very touristy and preferably with "home cooks" - not with restaurant chefs.